Silver Falls State Park and Southshore Campground provide established camping options near Gates, Oregon. Silver Falls State Park covers 9,000 acres of forest with year-round camping available, while Detroit Lake's Southshore Campground offers waterfront sites situated at 1,600 feet elevation. The camping areas feature variable terrain with most sites located beneath mature Douglas fir and Western hemlock trees.
What to do
Hike the trails: Silver Falls State Park Campground offers extensive hiking beyond the famous waterfall trail. "Beautiful water Falls. Stayed here just to wake up and hike the 9 miles and see the 10 waterfalls... The hike was amazing though! Definitely recommend it," writes Vanesa W. The park maintains over 35 miles of backcountry trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Enjoy water recreation: Southshore At Detroit Lake provides direct lake access for various water activities. "When I was asked if I wanted to go to Detroit lake, I thought we were going all the way to Michigan! But no this perfect little lake is a peaceful and fun filled getaway," shares Shariah T. The lake allows motorized boats with multiple public docks available for fishing.
Try disc golf: Milo McIver State Park Campground features professional-grade disc golf courses. "Milo McIver may be best known for its twin 18 hole disc golf courses, or single 27 hole layout when tournaments aren't in progress," notes Steve C. The courses host the annual Beaver State Fling, a nationally recognized tournament that draws competitors from around the world.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Waterloo County Park offers well-spaced sites along the Santiam River. "The sites are spaced out nicely and the park is very quiet," reports Kevin H. The park maintains over a mile of river frontage with sites set back from the main day-use areas.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained bathrooms at several parks near Gates. At Silver Falls, one visitor noted, "Bathrooms and showers are super nice and clean. Roads and campsites are paved and level," according to Richard H. Most state park campgrounds provide hot showers and flush toilets, with some county parks offering more basic facilities.
Diverse accommodation options: Camp Dakota offers various lodging styles beyond standard camping. "We had a great time at Camp Dakota. Our yurt was comfortable and we enjoyed disc golf, archery, axe throwing, a fun general store and an escape room," shares Bjorn S. The property maintains several glamping structures with different comfort levels throughout the year.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Area campgrounds have variable accessibility depending on time of year. "Detroit Lake campground is spacious with 6 different camping loops and lots of RVs and trailers. Main negative is the proximity of the back of each loop to a busy state highway," advises Beth W. at Southshore Campground. Many Forest Service roads close during winter months, limiting access to more remote camping areas.
Fire restrictions: Fire regulations change seasonally and vary by location. One camper at Champoeg State Heritage Area Campground noted, "Spring and summer can be a bug challenge so bring lots of insect repellant!" Most established campgrounds provide fire rings, though complete fire bans are common during late summer drought conditions.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. At Whitcomb Creek County Park, a visitor shared, "You can check in online or in person, which is extremely convenient. It's a scenic drive on your way there, once you get there they have spots for RVs, or tents." Many campgrounds switch to first-come, first-served policies during off-season months.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Silver Falls State Park offers dedicated facilities for younger campers. "There's a nice off leash dog area, but it's not fenced in, so heads up on that too," advises Laura M. The park provides a playground within Loop B and educational programs throughout summer months.
Consider water safety: Some water access points near Gates present hazards for inexperienced swimmers. At Whitcomb Creek County Park, a regular visitor noted, "We camped in Mid June and were 1 of 3 sites occupied. The campground was extremely clean and quiet... It was a quick drive to the boat ramp which to the left has access to a small rocky beach area my kids loved exploring," writes Becky S. Most water access areas lack lifeguards.
Pack for variable weather: Mountain elevations can experience temperature swings. "BEWARE: It's WET, so bring your wet weather gear, and good, sturdy hiking shoes for slippery terrain," warns Melissa L. about Silver Falls State Park. Temperatures commonly drop 20-30 degrees overnight at higher elevation campgrounds.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Mt Hood Village Resort offers varied site layouts. "The full hook up sites are in old growth timber giving each site a feeling of seclusion. The lodge, pool, hot tub and saunas are in good condition," reports Jack B. Most RV sites near Gates are back-in with limited pull-through availability.
Hookup availability: Utility connections vary widely between campgrounds. "Easy to access, even for larger rigs. We stayed in 39 foot 5th wheel. Plenty of pull thru spots, full hookups, regularly spaced bathroom/showers," shares Steve R. about Mt Hood Village Resort. Most state parks offer electric and water hookups only, with dump stations available on-site or within a 15-mile radius.
Terrain challenges: Many glamping sites near Gates have sloped approaches. At Southshore Campground, Julie W. explained, "Some sites have the parking spot up above the actual site and you have to walk down a short set of stairs to access. We were in spot 19 and this was the case but it wasn't a huge issue for us." Most campgrounds publish site-specific details online including length, slope, and pad material.
